U.S. patent application number 11/955989 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for pressure relieved thermal regulator for air conditioning application.
This patent application is currently assigned to Flow Design, Inc. Invention is credited to Karl-Heinz Brinkmann, Fritz Essfeld, Bernhard Henke, John M. Trantham.
Application Number | 20080210895 11/955989 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39432910 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080210895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Essfeld; Fritz ; et
al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Pressure Relieved Thermal Regulator for Air Conditioning
Application
Abstract
According to one embodiment of the invention, a control valve
for regulating temperature comprises a conduit, a fluid limiter, a
restoring actuator, an opening actuator, and a restoring actuator
chamber. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening
between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to receive
fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to dispense of
fluid out of the conduit. The fluid limiter is operable to at least
partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid
through the opening. The restoring actuator is operable to provide
a force that moves the fluid limiter toward the opening to resist
flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is operable
to provide a second force that moves the fluid limiter away from
the opening to allow the flow of fluid through the opening. The
opening actuator is activated based on a temperature of fluid in
the conduit. The restoring actuator chamber is disposed around the
restoring actuator and has a passage in communication with fluid
upstream of the opening.
Inventors: |
Essfeld; Fritz; (Warstein,
DE) ; Henke; Bernhard; (Brilon, DE) ;
Brinkmann; Karl-Heinz; (Lippstadt, DE) ; Trantham;
John M.; (Hurst, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
2001 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75201-2980
US
|
Assignee: |
Flow Design, Inc
Dallas
TX
|
Family ID: |
39432910 |
Appl. No.: |
11/955989 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60870016 |
Dec 14, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/63.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 23/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/63.6 |
International
Class: |
F16K 31/122 20060101
F16K031/122 |
Claims
1. A control valve for regulating temperature, the control valve
comprising: a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and an opening
between the inlet and the outlet, the inlet operable to receive
fluid into the conduit and the outlet operable to dispense of fluid
out of the conduit; a fluid limiter operable to at least partially
cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the
opening; a restoring actuator operable to provide a force to move
the fluid limiter toward the opening to resist flow of fluid
through the opening; an opening actuator operable to provide a
second force operable to move the fluid limiter away from the
opening to allow the flow of fluid through the opening, the opening
actuator activated based on a temperature of fluid in the conduit;
and a restoring actuator chamber disposed around the restoring
actuator, the restoring actuator chamber having a passage in
communication with fluid upstream of the opening.
2. The control valve of claim 1, wherein the opening actuator is
activated based on a temperature upstream of the opening.
3. The control valve of claim 1, wherein the opening actuator is
removeably coupleable to the conduit.
4. The control valve of claim 1, wherein the restoring actuator is
a spring.
5. The control valve of claim 1, wherein the opening actuator
comprises: a chamber with a heat sensitive material that changes a
characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy, the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material attributing to at
least a portion of the second force.
6. The control valve of claim 4, wherein the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material is a change in
volume.
7. The control valve of claim 4, wherein the heat sensitive
material is an alkane hydrocarbon.
8. The control valve of claim 4, further comprising: a
communication rod coupled to the fluid limiter and the chamber, the
communication rod operable to communicate thermal energy from the
fluid traveling through the conduit to the heat sensitive
material.
9. The control valve of claim 7, further comprising: a piston rod
operable to move in and out of the chamber, the piston rod coupled
to the fluid limiter, wherein the change in characteristic of the
heat sensitive material forces movement of the piston rod out of
the chamber, and the movement of the piston rod out of the chamber
forces movement of the chamber, the communication rod, and the
fluid limiter.
10. The control valve of claim 8, further comprising: an overtravel
actuator operable to resist movement of the piston rod moving out
of the chamber, the resistance to movement by the overtravel
actuator forcing the chamber and the communication rod to move the
fluid limiter when the piston rod moves out of the chamber.
11. The control valve of claim 10, wherein the overtravel actuator
is further operable to prevent excessive build up of pressure
inside the chamber.
12. A control valve for regulating temperature, the control valve
comprising: a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and an opening
between the inlet and the outlet, the inlet operable to receive
fluid into the conduit and the outlet operable to dispense of fluid
out of the conduit; a fluid limiter operable to at least partially
cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the
opening; a restoring actuator operable to provide a force to move
the fluid limiter toward the opening to resist flow of fluid
through the opening; an opening actuator removeably coupled to the
conduit, the opening actuator operable to provide a second force
operable to move the fluid limiter away from the opening to allow
the flow of fluid through the opening, the opening actuator
activated based on a temperature of fluid in the conduit.
13. The control valve of claim 12, further comprising: a restoring
actuator chamber disposed around the restoring actuator, the
restoring actuator chamber having a passage in communication with
fluid upstream of the opening.
14. The control valve of claim 13, wherein the opening actuator is
activated based based on a temperature upstream of the opening.
15. The control valve of claim 14, wherein the opening actuator
comprises: a chamber with a heat sensitive material that changes a
characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy, the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material attributing to at
least a portion of the second force.
16. The control valve of claim 15, wherein the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material is a change in
volume.
17. The control valve of claim 15, wherein the heat sensitive
material is an alkane hydrocarbon.
18. The control valve of claim 15, further comprising: a
communication rod coupled to the fluid limiter and the chamber, the
communication rod operable to communicate thermal energy from the
fluid traveling through the conduit to the heat sensitive
material.
19. The control valve of claim 18, further comprising: a piston rod
operable to move in and out of the chamber, the piston rod coupled
to the fluid limiter, wherein the change in characteristic of the
heat sensitive material forces movement of the piston rod out of
the chamber, and the movement of the piston rod out of the chamber
forces movement of the chamber, the communication rod, and the
fluid limiter.
20. The control valve of claim 19, further comprising: an
overtravel actuator operable to resist movement of the piston rod
moving out of the chamber, the resistance to movement by the
overtravel actuator forcing the chamber and the communication rod
to move the fluid limiter when the piston rod moves out of the
chamber.
21. The control valve of claim 20, wherein the overtravel actuator
is further operable to prevent excessive build up of pressure
inside the chamber.
22. A control valve for regulating temperature, the control valve
comprising: a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and an opening
between the inlet and the outlet, the inlet operable to receive
fluid into the conduit and the outlet operable to dispense of fluid
out of the conduit, the conduit operable to be positioned between a
terminal and a return header line of system; a fluid limiter
operable to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist
flow of fluid through the opening; a first actuator operable to
provide a force to move the fluid limiter one of toward the opening
to resist flow of fluid through the opening or away from the
opening to allow the flow of fluid through the opening; an second
actuator operable to provide a second force operable to move the
fluid limiter the other of toward the opening to resist flow of
fluid through the opening or away from the opening to allow the
flow of fluid through the opening away from the opening, the
opening actuator activated based on a temperature of fluid in the
conduit; and a chamber with a heat sensitive material that changes
a characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy, the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material attributing to at
least a portion of the second force.
23. The control valve of claim 22, wherein the second actuator is
activated based based on a temperature upstream of the opening.
24. The control valve of claim 22, wherein the second actuator is
removeably coupleable to the conduit.
25. The control valve of claim 22, wherein the second actuator
comprises: a chamber with a heat sensitive material that changes a
characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy, the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material attributing to at
least a portion of the second force.
26. The control valve of claim 25, wherein the change in
characteristic of the heat sensitive material is a change in
volume.
27. The control valve of claim 25, wherein the heat sensitive
material is an alkane hydrocarbon.
28. The control valve of claim 25, further comprising: a
communication rod coupled to the fluid limiter and the chamber, the
communication rod operable to communicate thermal energy from the
fluid traveling through the conduit to the heat sensitive
material.
29. The control valve of claim 28, further comprising: a piston rod
operable to move in and out of the chamber, the piston rod coupled
to the fluid limiter, wherein the change in volume of the heat
sensitive material forces movement of the piston rod out of the
chamber, and the movement of the piston rod out of the chamber
forces movement of the chamber, the communication rod, and the
fluid limiter.
30. The control valve of claim 29, further comprising: an
overtravel actuator operable to resist movement of the piston rod
moving out of the chamber, the resistance to movement by the
overtravel actuator forcing the chamber and the communication rod
to move the fluid limiter when the piston rod moves out of the
chamber.
31. The control valve of claim 30, wherein the overtravel actuator
is further operable to prevent excessive build up of pressure
inside the chamber.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 (e), this application
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/870,016, entitled PRESSURE RELIEVED THERMAL REGULATOR FOR AIR
CONDITIONING APPLICATION filed Dec. 14, 2006. U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/870,016, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of heat
transfer and, more particularly, to a pressure relieved thermal
regulator for air conditioning application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A variety of different heat transfer systems use water or
other fluids to transfer heat or thermal energy between one or more
production units and one or more loads. Such systems are often
referred to as hydronic systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one embodiment of the invention, a control
valve for regulating temperature comprises a conduit, a fluid
limiter, a restoring actuator, an opening actuator, and a restoring
actuator chamber. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an
opening between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to
receive fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to
dispense of fluid out of the conduit. The fluid limiter is operable
to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of
fluid through the opening. The restoring actuator is operable to
provide a force that moves the fluid limiter toward the opening to
resist flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is
operable to provide a second force that moves the fluid limiter
away from the opening to allow the flow of fluid through the
opening. The opening actuator is activated based on a temperature
of fluid in the conduit. The restoring actuator chamber is disposed
around the restoring actuator and has a passage in communication
with fluid upstream of the opening.
[0005] Certain embodiments of the invention may provide numerous
technical advantages. For example, a technical advantage of one
embodiment may include the capability to choose the temperature of
regulation so that a particular heat exchanger always receives the
appropriate amount of coolant flow under variable loading
conditions. Other technical advantages of other embodiments may
include the capability to regulate the temperature of the fluid
based on a setting despite pressure fluctuations. Still another
technical advantage of other embodiments may include the capability
for the thermal actuator to be changed without creating an opening
from the water to the surrounding air, thereby allowing this
operation to be done without shutting down the surrounding
pipework.
[0006] Although specific advantages have been enumerated above,
various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the
enumerated advantages. Additionally, other technical advantages may
become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after
review of the following figures and description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of
the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to
the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an example system in which embodiments of the
invention may be utilized; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a control valve, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It should be understood at the outset that although example
embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below, the
present invention may be implemented using any number of
techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present
invention should in no way be limited to the example embodiments,
drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the
embodiments and implementation illustrated and described herein.
Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an example system in which embodiments of the
invention may be utilized. Embodiments of the invention may apply
to hydronic cooling systems, sometimes known as "chilled water"
systems. In such systems a chiller provides cold fluid (e.g.,
including, but not limited to, water) to many different heat
transfer terminals through a network of piping. The cold fluid
rises in temperature as it passes through the various terminal
units, as a result of heat or thermal energy being removed from
various "loads." That is, the thermal energy is transferred to the
fluid. These loads can include, but are not limited to, air in
rooms of buildings or various industrial processes. In particular
embodiments, fans associated with terminals may either change in
speed or turn on and off in response, for example, to the
temperature of a particular room in a building. In particular
embodiments, a control valve may be used to maintain a constant
temperature of fluid returning from the terminal. An example of
such a valve is described below in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The
result in particular embodiments may be an extremely low flow of
fluid when there is no load on the terminal (such as when the fan
speed was slow or the fan was off) and an increased flow of fluid
with an increased load.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a control valve 100, according to an embodiment of
the invention. The control valve 100 of FIG. 2 may be placed in a
variety of locations including, but not limited to, between the
terminal and the return header line shown in FIG. 1. In particular
embodiments, the control valve 100 can be used to control the
amount of return fluid flow provided to the return header line
shown in FIG. 1 as a function of the temperature of the fluid
provided to the control valve 100.
[0013] The control valve 100 in this embodiment includes a valve
housing 200 and an actuator housing 300. The valve housing 200
contains components, which facilitate the closing of an opening 250
in the valve housing and the actuator housing 300 include
components which facilitate the opening of the opening 250.
[0014] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the valve housing 200 include a
conduit body 205, obstructions 210, 220, and 230; a plunger 240; an
opening 250; a restoring spring 260; and a communication rod 270.
In operation, the obstructions 210, 220, and 230 work against a
flow of fluid (indicated by arrows 280) through the valve housing
200 while the opening 250 allows the flow of fluid (indicated by
arrows 280) through the valve housing 200. The plunger 240
selectively covers the opening 250 upon receiving force from one or
both of the force of the restoring spring 260 and an external force
communicated through the communication rod 270.
[0015] The communication rod 270 is in communication with the
actuator housing 300. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the
communication rod 270 communicates the temperature of the fluid to
the actuator housing 300. In particular embodiments the
communication rod 270 may be brass or other type of metal operable
to conduct thermal energy.
[0016] In this particular embodiments, there is a seal 207 between
a wall 203 of the conduit body 205 and the communication rod 270.
The seal 207 allows axial movement of the communication rod 270
while preventing entry of fluid into the actuator housing 300 This
creates the possibility of replacing the actuator housing 300,
along with the associated components 305, 310. 320, 330, 340, and
350, without having to isolate the valve housing 200 from the
surrounding pipework. In other embodiments, there may not be a
seal, thereby allowing fluid into the actuator housing 300.
[0017] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the actuator housing 300
includes a housing body 305, a chamber 310, a piston rod 320,
limiters 330, a limiter stop 340, and an overtravel spring 350.
[0018] The housing body 305 is threadingly engaged with the conduit
body 205. In particular embodiments, this threading engagement
allows an initial setting of the position of the communication rod
270.
[0019] The chamber 310 includes a heat sensitive substance operable
change volume when subjected to a change in temperature. In
particular embodiments, the heat sensitive substance may comprise
water, oil, wax, or other suitable substances, including
combinations thereof. In one embodiment, heat sensitive substance
may comprise an alkane hydrocarbon. In the illustrated embodiment,
heat sensitive substance comprises a mixture of different types of
paraffin having different melting points.
[0020] The piston rod 320 extends into and out of the chamber as
the mixture of paraffin melts or solidifies. In this particular
embodiment, when the mixture of paraffin melts, the volume--a
characteristic of the heat sensitive substance--increases, causing
the piston rod 320 to move out of the chamber 310.
[0021] The overtravel spring 350 resists the piston rod 320,
causing the chamber 310 and communication rod 270 to be pushed down
when the piston rod 320 exits the chamber 310. To avoid overtravel
spring 350 from going too far downward, the overtravel spring 350
is coupled to a limiter stop 340, which are resisted by limiters
330. In operation, when the chamber 310 and communication rod 270
can no longer move downward (for example, they have reached their
maximum level), the overtravel spring 350 compensates for such
"overtravel" by compressing and allowing the combination of the
piston rod 320 to move up when chamber 310 and communication rod
270 can no longer move down. This action prevents excessive
pressure from building up inside chamber 310.
[0022] In operation, the initial set point of the communication rod
270 is set by the amount of threading between the housing body 305
and the conduit body 205. As thermal energy received in the flow of
fluid (indicated by arrows 280) increases, the increase in the
thermal energy is communicated through the communication rod 270 up
to the chamber 310 in the actuator housing 300. As the mixture of
paraffin wax in the chamber 310 melts, the volume inside the
chamber 310 increases, thereby forcing the piston rod 320 out of
the chamber 310. The resistance to the piston rod 320 by the
overtravel spring 350 forces the chamber 310 and communication rod
270 downward to push the plunger 240 out of the way of the opening
250. The downward movement of the plunger 240 compresses the
restoring spring 260.
[0023] As temperature of the fluid decreases, the opposite occurs
with the piston rod 320 retracting into the chamber 310 (due to
decreased volume in the now-solidifying mixture of paraffin) and
the restoring spring 260 forcing movement of the plunger 240 back
over the opening 250.
[0024] This operation in particular embodiments can allow a fixed,
desired return water temperature on the downstream side of the
opening 250. That is, until the desired temperature of the fluid is
reached, the mixture of paraffin in the chamber 310 won't melt
(from thermal energy communicated from the communication rode 270)
and the plunger 240 will not be moved out the way of the opening
250. The result as in particular embodiments as indicated above may
be an extremely low flow of fluid when there is no load on the
terminal (such as when the fan speed was slow or the fan was off)
and an increased flow of fluid with an increased load.
[0025] In particular embodiments the mixture of paraffins may be
designed so that melting takes place over a range of temperatures,
with the total travel of the actuator being greater than the travel
required to open or close the valve. In such embodiments, the
temperature of regulation may be set by adjusting the threading
engagement between actuator housing 305 and conduit housing
205.
[0026] In particular embodiments there may be a passage 255 which
allows the pressure from the area of the valve upstream of opening
250 to be transmitted into chamber 265 (around spring 260). This
pressure acting on the opposite face of plunger 240 counteracts the
pressure from opening 250, thereby allowing the valve to function
at differential pressures much higher than otherwise would be
possible.
[0027] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the
control valve 100. For example, the components of the control valve
100 may be integrated or separated according to particular needs.
Moreover, the operations of the control valve 100 may be performed
by more, fewer, or other components.
[0028] While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain
embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and
permutations of the embodiments and methods will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of
example embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other
changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined
by the following claims.
* * * * *